Graduate Studies and Research
Western Kentucky University
Office of the Dean
745-2446
REPORT TO THE UNIVERSITY SENATE
DATE:
FROM:
November 2007
Graduate Studies
The Graduate Council submits the following items for consideration. Items
marked with an asterisks [*] are information items. All other items are consent
items:
I. One time Only
COMM 524 Public Health Communication*
COMM 526 Family Communication*
COMM 568 Organizational Identification*
COMM 573 Organizational Rhetoric*
EDU 501 Seminar: Designing Professional Development Plan*
SWRK 490G Selected Topics in Social Work*
SWRK 491G Forensic Social Work*
II. Reactivate a Suspended Course
AGRI 493G Sustainable Agriculture
III. Create a New Course
HIST 430G History of the Civil Rights Movement in America
IV. Revise Course Credit Hours
EDU 501 Seminar: Designing Professional Development Plan
III. Revise a Program
072 Master of Science in Geosciences
149 Master of Science in Nursing (Nurse Educator Concentration)
149 Master of Science in Nursing (Administrator Concentration)
Proposal Date: 6/11/07
Ogden College of Science and Engineering
Department of Agriculture
Proposal to Reactivate a Suspended Course
(Consent Item)
Contact Person:
Elmer Gray
elmer.gray@wku.edu
270-745-5961
Gabrielle Hunt
gabrielle.hunt@wku.edu
270-745-3151
1.
Identification of course:
1.1
1.2
1.3
2.
Renewed interest in sustainability
Instructor returned to teaching/research appointment
Effect of course reactivation on programs or other departments, if known:
•
•
4.
AGRI 493G
Rationale for the course reactivation:
•
•
3.
Current course prefix (subject area) and number:
Course title:
Sustainable Agriculture
Credit hours: 3.0
None
Students from other programs are few and from different programs
Proposed term for implementation:
Spring 2008
5.
Dates of prior committee approvals:
Department of Agriculture
______6/12/07______
Ogden College Graduate Committee
______9/7/07_______
Graduate Council
______10/11/07_____
University Senate
Attachment: Course Inventory Form
___________________
Proposal Date: August 1, 2007
Potter College of Arts and Letters
Department of History
Proposal to Create a New Course
(Action Item)
Contact Person: Dr. Patricia Minter, 745-5098 (patricia.minter@wku.edu)
1.
Identification of proposed course:
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
2.
Course prefix (subject area) and number: HIST 430G
Course title: History of the Civil Rights Movement in America
Abbreviated course title: Am Civil Rights Movement
Credit hours and contact hours: 3 hours
Type of course: L (Lecture)
Prerequisites/corequisites: Graduate status
Course catalog listing: Introduction to graduate-level survey of the
struggle for civil rights and social justice in 20th century America.
Rationale:
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
Reason for developing the proposed course:
As a one-time only offering, this course was popular and answers student
requests for history of the Civil Rights Movement and recent American
history.
Projected enrollment in the proposed course: 5-7 students. With its
interdisciplinary focus, this course will be popular with graduate students
in History as well as Political Science and Sociology.
Relationship of the proposed course to courses now offered by the
department: This course will complement upper-level and graduate level
departmental offerings in American Legal History (HIST 446G), and
Cultural History (HIST 447G and 458G) while providing students with an
opportunity for close study of one major social/legal/cultural movement.
Relationship of the proposed course to courses offered in other
departments: This course will complement courses offered in Political
Science, Philosophy and Religion, and Sociology on race relations,
political movements and culture, and racial/economic justice.
Relationship of the proposed course to courses offered in other
institutions: Similar courses are offered at the University of Virginia,
Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, University of Louisville,
University of Tennessee, and Tennessee State University.
3.
Discussion of proposed course:
3.1
Course objectives: The course will explore the evolution of the American
Civil Rights Movement from its integrationist origins in the 1940s and
1950s to the militant Black Power and black separatist emphasis of the late
1960s. It will conclude with an examination of “white flight,”
conservative ascendancy, and the retreat from desegregation in cultural
and political discourse from the 1970s to the turn of the century.
3.2
Content outline:
--Students will understand how movement culture and movement
consciousness develop and change over time
--Students will learn about the use of legal strategy to achieve
desegregation and social/economic justice when political processes fail to
protect rights of one group of citizens
--Students will learn how the Civil Rights Movement sparked a “rights
revolution” in the 1960s (women’s rights, Brown and Red Power
movements, gay/lesbian rights)
--Students will study how the Civil Rights Movement transformed
American political culture and how it changed over time
--Students will study the cultural history of desegregation and how race
and class discourse has changed over time
4.
3.3
Student expectations and requirements: Students will be expected to
engage in historiographical discussions and original research on civil
rights. Evaluation will be based on exams, research paper, and class
participation. Graduate students will produce a 20-25 page paper based on
primary research relating to one aspect of the Civil Rights Movement.
3.4
Tentative texts and course materials: There are many possibilities, but
likely texts include Taylor Branch, Parting the Waters: America in the
King Years; John Dittmer, Local People: The Civil Rights Movement in
Mississippi; Anne Moody, Coming of Age in Mississippi; Constance
Curry, Silver Rights; speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X,
and Stokely Carmichael. There is also a wealth of primary sources and
journal articles that can be used to supplement specific topics.
Resources:
4.1
4.2
Library resources: Adequate—see attached Library Resources Sheet
Computer resources: Adequate
5.
Budget implications:
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
Proposed method of staffing: Current staffing
Special equipment needed: None
Expendable materials needed: None
Laboratory materials needed: None
6.
Proposed term for implementation: Spring 2007
7.
Dates of prior committee approvals:
History_Department/Division:
____August 22, 2007
Potter College Curriculum Committee
___September 6, 2007
Graduate Council
___October 11, 2007
University Senate
___________________
Attachment: Bibliography, Library Resources Form, Course Inventory Form
Proposal Date: January 26, 2007
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Proposal to Revise Course Credit Hours
(Action Item)
Contact Persons:
Dr. Tabitha Daniel tabitha.daniel@wku.edu 745-2615
Dr. Barbara Kacer barbara.kacer@wku.edu 745- 4430
1.
Identification of course:
1.1 Current course prefix:
EDU 501
1.2 Current course title: Seminar: Designing Professional Development Plan
1.3 Credit hours: 1
2.
Proposed course credit hours: 2
3.
Rationale for the revision of course credit hours:
Increasing the credit hours to two will permit shifting the initial creation of a
professional portfolio, which is one of the requirements in EDU 596 Seminar:
Portfolio Development and Professional Education Growth Plan, to EDU 501, thus
providing a better sequence for student learning.
4.
Proposed term for implementation: Spring, 2008
5.
Dates of prior committee approvals:
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
1/26/2007
CEBS Curriculum Committee
2/06/2007
Professional Education Council
2/14/07
Graduate Council
10/11/07
University Senate
__________
Proposal Date: 8/27/2007
Ogden College of Science and Engineering
Department of Geography and Geology
Proposal to Revise a Program
(Action Item)
Contact Person: David Keeling e-mail: david.keeling@wku.edu
Phone: 5-4555
1. Identification of program
1.1
Reference Number: 072
1.2
Current Program Title: Master of Science in Geoscience
1.3
Credit hours: 30 hours
2. Identification of the proposed changes:
GEOG 530 Cultural Geography is added as a required Field Methods core course for
those students focusing on cultural topics. Students focusing on geophysical topics
will continue to take GEOG 502 Field Methods.
3. Detailed program description (Environmental Science Concentration):
Current Program Options
M.S. Geoscience Program (Thesis)
Core Requirements
12 hours
[GEOG 500, 502, 520]
Program Electives
12 hours
[Any 12 hours of graduate coursework
approved by the thesis director]
Thesis Research
6 hours
[An approved thesis project]
Proposed Program Options
M.S. Geoscience Program (Thesis)
Core Requirements
12 hours
[GEOG 500, 502 OR 530, 520]
Program Electives
12 hours
[Any 12 hours of graduate coursework
approved by the thesis director]
Thesis Research
6 hours
[An approved thesis project]
PROGRAM TOTAL
30 hours
Additional Requirements:
Research Tool
3 hours
[An appropriate course approved by
the thesis director and the Graduate
School that may be part of the 30-hour
program.]
PROGRAM TOTAL
30 hours
Additional Requirements:
Research Tool
3 hours
[An appropriate course approved by
the thesis director and the Graduate
School that may be part of the 30-hour
program.]
M.S. Geoscience (Project)
Core Requirements
12 hours
[GEOG 500, 502, 520]
Program Electives
12 hours
[Any 12 hours of graduate coursework
approved by the thesis director]
Graduate Project
6 hours
[A research paper of publishable
M.S. Geoscience (Project)
Core Requirements
12 hours
[GEOG 500, 502 OR 530, 520]
Program Electives
12 hours
[Any 12 hours of graduate coursework
approved by the thesis director]
Graduate Project
6 hours
[A research paper of publishable
quality approved by the program
director]
PROGRAM TOTAL
30 hours
Additional Requirements:
Research Tool
3 hours
[An appropriate course approved by
the thesis director and the Graduate
School that may be part of the 30-hour
program.]
quality approved by the program
director]
Program Total
30 hours
Additional Requirements:
Research Tool
3 hours
[An appropriate course approved by
the thesis director and the Graduate
School that may be part of the 30-hour
program.]
Environmental Sci. Option (Thesis)
Interdisciplinary
Core Requirements
9 hours
[GEOG 506, 543, 587
Program Requirements
8 hours
[GEOG 500, 520]
Program Electives
7 hours
[Any 7 hours of graduate course-work
approved by the thesis director]
Thesis Research
6 hours
[An approved thesis project]
Program Total
30 hours
Additional Requirements:
Research Tool
3 hours
[An appropriate course approved by
the thesis director and the Graduate
School that may be part of the 30-hour
program.]
Environmental Sci. Option (Thesis)
Interdisciplinary
Core Requirements
9 hours
[GEOG 506, 543, 587
Program Requirements
8 hours
[GEOG 500, 520]
Program Electives
7 hours
[Any 7 hours of graduate course-work
approved by the thesis director]
Thesis Research
6 hours
[An approved thesis project]
Program Total
30 hours
Additional Requirements:
Research Tool
3 hours
[An appropriate course approved by
the thesis director and the Graduate
School that may be part of the 30-hour
program.]
Environmental Science Option
(Project)
Environmental Science Option
(Project)
Interdisciplinary
Core Requirements
9 hours
[GEOG 506, 543, 587]
Program Requirements
8 hours
[GEOG 500, 520]
Program Electives
7 hours
[Any 13 hours of graduate coursework
approved by the thesis director]
Graduate Project
6 hours
[A research paper of publishable
quality approved by the program
director]
Program Total
30 hours
Additional Requirements:
Research Tool
3 hours
[An appropriate course approved by
the thesis director and the Graduate
School that may be part of the 30-hour
program.]
Interdisciplinary
Core Requirements
9 hours
[GEOG 506, 543, 587]
Program Requirements
8 hours
[GEOG 500, 520]
Program Electives
7 hours
[Any 13 hours of graduate coursework
approved by the thesis director]
Graduate Project
6 hours
[A research paper of publishable
quality approved by the program
director]
Program Total
30 hours
Additional Requirements:
Research Tool
3 hours
[An appropriate course approved by
the thesis director and the Graduate
School that may be part of the 30-hour
program.]
4. Rationale for proposed program revisions:
● In the 12-hour core, either GEOG 502 or GEOG 530 may be taken to satisfy the
field methods requirement. Students are divided into two general streams upon
entering the program: physical geoscience and cultural geoscience. As GEOG 502
teaches primarily geophysical techniques, the graduate committee decided to require
students focusing on cultural topics to take GEOG 530 as the field methods course
rather than GEOG 502.
5. Proposed term for implementation and special provisions:
Term: Fall 2008
6. Dates of prior committee approvals:
Geography and Geology Graduate Committee
9/27/2006
OCSE Graduate Curriculum Committee
9/7/2007____
Graduate Council
___10/11/2007_________
University Senate
___
Attachment: Program Inventory Form
Proposal Date 07/18/2007
College of Health & Human Services
7. School of Nursing
Proposal to Revise a Program
(Action Item)
Contact Person: Beverly Siegrist Beverly.Siegrist@wku.edu 745-3490
1.
Identification of program
1.1
Reference number: 149
1.2
Current program title: Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN)
1.3
Credit hours: 45 - 48
2.
Identification of the proposed changes: Modification of the curriculum requirements
for the
Nurse Educator concentration of the MSN program by allowing other advisor approved
substitutions for CNS 552 and PSY 511 support courses.
3. Detailed program description:
Current Curriculum
Nurs 501 Nsg, Politics & Hlth Policy
2
hr(s).
Nurs 504 Theoretical Found of Prof Nsg.
3
Nurs 506 Transition to Adv. Nsg.Practice
1
Nurs 508 Adv. Issues in Professional Nsg.
1
Nurs 510 Advanced Nursing Research
3
Nurs 512 Research Applications
2
Nurs 518 Clinical Teaching in Nursing
3
Nurs 520 Teaching in Schools of Nursing
3
Nurs 522 Teaching Internship
4
Nurs 530 Nsg. Admin. Internship
3
Graduate Statistics
3
CNS 552 Test & Assessment
3
PSY 511 Psychology of Learning
3
Elective/Thesis
3-6
Total credit hours
45-48
Proposed Curriculum
Nurs 501 Nsg, Politics & Hlth Policy
2
hr(s).
Nurs 504 Theoretical Found of Prof Nsg.
3
Nurs 506 Transition to Adv. Nsg. Practice
1
Nurs 508 Adv. Issues in Professional Nsg.
1
Nurs 510 Advanced Nursing Research
3
Nurs 512 Research Applications
2
Nurs 518 Clinical Teaching in Nursing
3
Nurs 520 Teaching in Schools of Nursing
3
Nurs 522 Teaching Internship
4
Nurs 530 Nsg. Admin. Internship
3
Graduate Statistics
3 *CNS 552 Test & Assessment
3
*PSY 511 Psychology of Learning
3
Elective/Thesis
3-6
Total credit hours
45-48
*Course substitution may be made with
permission of advisor
*Changes indicated in bold type.
4. Rationale for proposed program revisions: CNS 552 and PSY 511 are support
courses for the Nurse Educator students. While these course are periodically taught at
distant sites the timing may not meet the scheduling needs of the non-traditional place
bound students in the MSN program. Experienced nurse educator students may have
educational needs that can better be met with other education related courses currently
taught at WKU. It is the policy of the MSN program that all course substitutions and
electives must be approved by the student’s major advisor.
5. Proposed term for implementation and special provisions: Spring 2008
6.
Dates of prior committee approvals:
8/31/2007
MSN Committee/ School of Nursing
CHHS College Graduate Curriculum Committee
Graduate Council
University Senate
Attachment: Program Inventory Form
9/25/2007
10/11/2007
Proposal Date 07/18/2007
College of Health & Human Services
8. School of Nursing
Proposal to Revise a Program
(Action Item)
Contact Person: Beverly Siegrist Beverly.Siegrist@wku.edu 745-3490
2.
Identification of program
2.1
Reference number: 149
1.2
Current program title: Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN)
1.3
Credit hours: 45 - 48
6.

Identification of the proposed changes:
Modification of the curriculum requirements for the Nurse administrator concentration
of the MSN program.
 Decrease the total number of credit hours from 45-48 to 36.
7. Detailed program description: Program competencies, curriculum requirements, and
clinical contact hours have been established by the American Academy of Colleges of
Nursing (AACN).The 36 credit hour program study proposed by WKU is as follows:
Current Curriculum
Nurs 501 Nsg, Politics & Hlth Policy
2
hr(s).
Nurs 504 Theoretical Found of Prof Nsg.
3
Nurs 506 Transition to Adv. Nsg.Practice
1
Nurs 508 Adv. Issues in Professional Nsg.
1
Nurs 510 Advanced Nursing Research
3
Nurs 512 Research Applications
2
Nurs 528 Leadership & Management in
3
Nursing Administration
Nurs 530 Nsg. Admin. Internship
3
Graduate Statistics
3
BA 500 Manage. Dynamics
3
BA 501 Survey of Economic Theory
3
BA 505 Survey of Accounting Princ.
3
*Restricted Electives
9
**Unstricted Electives
Proposed Curriculum
Nurs 501 Nsg, Politics & Hlth Policy
2
hr(s).
Nurs 504 Theoretical Found of Prof Nsg.
3
Nurs 506 Transition to Adv. Nsg.Practice
1
Nurs 508 Adv. Issues in Professional Nsg.
1
Nurs 510 Advanced Nursing Research
3
Nurs 512 Research Applications
2
Nurs 528 Leadership & Management in
3
Nursing Administration
Nurs 530 Nsg. Admin. Internship
3
Graduate Statistics
3
Business Management/Finance courses
3
Organizational Theory/Healthcare Systems
3
Human Resource Management/
Communication courses
3
Health care ethics/law courses
3
6
Total credit hours
Unrestricted elective
3
Total Credit Hours
45
36
*Restricted Electives chosen from:
BA 503 Information Decisions
BA 507 Marketing Management
BA 509 Managerial Finance
HCA 571 Managed Care
HCA Health Services Judisprudence
HCA 542 Health Care Resources or
Other courses with Advisor Approval
** Unrestricted Electives chosen from any
discipline with permission of advisor
Support courses/electives selected with
approval of advisor. These courses may be
selected from the following but are not
limited to these courses:
Business Management/Finance courses
3
BA 501 Survey of Economics
BA 505 Survey of Accounting Principles
HCA 545 Managerial Finance for Health
Services
Organizational Theory/Healthcare Systems
3
BA 510 Organizational Theory
HCA 540 Health Care Organiz. & Admin.
HCA 544 Health Care Systems Design &
Behav.
HCA 547 Decisions Making in Health
Services
LEAD 500 Leadership
Human Resource Management/
Communication courses
3
HCA 542 Health Care Human Resource Adm.
COMM 525 Interpersonal Support on
Workplace
COMM 551 Employee Communication
COMM 564 Crisis Communication
COMM 581 Applied Organizational
Communication
Health care ethics/law courses
3
HCA 551 Health Services Jurisprudence
HCA 543 Health Care Quality &
Accountability
COMM 569 Values & Leadership
PH 447G Humam Values & Health Sciences
PHIL 525 Ethics & Leadership
*New course requirements for this concentration indicated in bold.
8. Rationale for proposed program revisions: The changes presented in the proposed
curriculum revision for the nurse administrator reflect the theory and practical
experiences outlined as essential by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC),
the credentialing agency for advanced nurse administration board certification. The
ANCC board certification implements the Scope and Standards for Nurse Administrators,
Second Edition (2004).Additionally, a review of six MSN nurse administrator programs in
three states found that the usual total program credit hours are 32-38 that include the
ability of applicants to select support courses from a variety of disciplines related to
nursing administration. The WKU MSN faculty believe that the proposed changes will
facilitate recruitment efforts in this nursing specialty concentration and meet the career
goals of experienced registered nurses.
5. Proposed term for implementation and special provisions: Spring 2008
6.
Dates of prior committee approvals:
MSN Committee/ School of Nursing
8/31/2007
CHHS College Graduate Curriculum Committee
9/25/2007
Graduate Council
10/11/2007
University Senate
Attachment: Program Inventory Form